Scottish Junior Open 2016

Scottish Junior Open – Day 3 Summary ‪#‎SJO2016‬

Eyes turned to the show court on the third and final day of the Open, as the finalists from the various age categories took centre stage to battle it out for top honours.

The U13 Girls began the day’s play in brilliant fashion, with an incredibly close and exciting opening game setting the tone for the games to follow. Menna TALLAH HEDIA (EGY) overcame Katie MALLIFF (ENG) in 4 hard fought and skilled games (10-12; 11-4; 11-5; 11-6). Ananya DABKE (IND) finished in third place, with Lucie STEFANONI (USA) in fourth.

Next on court were the U13 Boys. Chan YIN HANG (HKG) took a 3 game victory (11-5; 1-11; 9-11) over Emirhan SEN (TUR), both players showing great determination and fight until the very last point. Mukunth GOPALAKRISHNAN (USA) finished in third place, with Finlay MARTIN (SCO) in fourth.

Habiba HOSSAMELDIN (EGY) emerged victorious in the U15 Girls competition, defeating Adele ON YING FUNG (HKG) 9-11 11-6 9-11 6-11 in the final. In an extremely technical game, with plenty of momentum swings, both players demonstrated a great spirit. Amirah ROSLI (MAS) finished in third place, with Emily SCHUSTER (USA) in fourth.

Scotland’s Alasdair PROTT (SCO) gave the home crowd its first trophy, in the U15 Boys competition, overcoming Saksham CHOUDHARY (IND) 11-2 8-11 11-5 11-6 in a physical game in which both players looked to dominate the ‘T’. Danial NURHAQIEM B. SHAHRUL IZHAM (MAS) finished in third place, with Charlie YATES (RSA) in fourth.

Georgia ADDERLEY’s (SCO) success (11-7 11-4 11-6) over Emma FITZSIMMONS (SCO), in the U17 Girls, ensured she took home the title. The game characterised the great atmosphere among competitors and the fierceness of the squash. Charlotte JAGGER (ENG) finished second with a record of 3-1 and Au YEONG WAI YHANN (SIN) finished in third place.

In perhaps the most emotionally charged fixture of the day, Sanjay JEEVA (BEL) defeated Khalil MOHAMED (EGY) in 4 sets (11-9 11-5 8-11 11-8) to take the U17 Boys title. The two incredibly skilled players constantly tried to find fault in the other’s technique, with JEEVA able to remain the more consistent to ensure victory. Ross HENDERSON (SCO) finished in third place, with Glenn YATES (RSA) in fourth.

Similarly in the U19 Girls showpiece event, Marina STEFANONI (USA) maintained her composure to negate a late Carrie HALLAM (SCO) surge to take the title 11-7 11-8 11-8. Although, HALLAM was able to regularly trouble her opponent, when she found her rhythm, the Scot left it too late to rally. Katriona ALLEN (SCO) finished in third place, with Charlotte COOPER (ENG) in fourth.

The final game of the Open saw Richard HOLLINS (SCO) overcome countryman Patrick O’SULLIVAN (SCO) 8-11 11-1 11-5 11-5 to take home the U19 Boys crown. It was an impressive contest between two home-grown players at the peak of their powers; Hollins’ finesse stroke play eventually winning out. Jamie TODD (ENG) finished in third place, with Siddharth CHOUDHARY (IND) in fourth.

Scottish Junior Open – Day 2 Summary ‪#‎SJO2016‬

Day 2’s action began bright and early, those first on court setting the tone for the day.

One of the day’s highlights saw third seeded G. Yates beaten by fifth seeded K. Mohamed, in the U17’s Boys tournament. In a hard fought match, by two hard hitting players, no quarter was asked and none was given. Both played the ball at all times, resulting in a mammoth 48-minute, 5-game thriller.

Having overcome a few technical computer glitches to begin the morning, action began before lunchtime with the courts at Heriot-Watt University’s Centre for Sport & Exercise abuzz with excitement. Family and friends filled the viewing areas to cheer on the competitors, as the games commenced.
There were plenty of highs and lows across the tournament’s first 8 hours of action, with dramatic comebacks, standout performances and consistent fair play and sportsmanship.
R. Hollins, P. O’Sullivan and J. Todd lived up to their top seeding in the Boys U19’s by going through the day undefeated. Similarly, in the Girls U19’s, C. Hallam and M. Stefanoni ended the day unbeaten.
It was a similar story in the U17’s competition with top seeded players S. Jeeva, and G. Adderley performing well in the Boys and Girls draws respectively.
I. Broadley and F. Laing provided one of the closest matches of the day, the contest going the full 5 games, with the Englishman just edging to victory.
E. Sen and L. Stefanoni showed their class in the Boys and Girls U13’s competition respectively, with comfortable victories.